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Private, on your own dates · Japan

Japan Snow Starter

A beginner-friendly winter package: Tokyo sightseeing, the Shinkansen to Echigo-Yuzawa, two nights in the snow with a ropeway and snow play, and a beginner ski or snowboard lesson with equipment and snow wear included.

The route2 cities.
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6 days, 5 nightsDuration
2 citiesWhere you sleep
Five nights of hotel accommodation with daily breakfast — three in Tokyo, two in Echigo-YuzawaMeals

Twin share · land only, flights extra

Why this journey

For a family seeing snow for the first time, Japan is the easiest place to do it. Echigo-Yuzawa is eighty minutes from Tokyo by bullet train, the snow is deep and reliable from January, and the resort begins at the station itself.

The package gives three nights in Tokyo and two in Yuzawa. There is a private city day in Tokyo, a first snow-play afternoon with the ropeway, and a beginner ski or snowboard lesson the next day, with equipment and snow wear rental included so nobody needs to buy a jacket at home.

Onsen bathing, a snow-covered town and an easy pace make this a soft introduction rather than a ski holiday. Optional upgrades — a four-star hotel, a private ski lesson, snow play only, or Tokyo attraction add-ons — can be quoted on request.

Trip highlights

  • 01Eighty minutes from Tokyo to deep snow by bullet train
  • 02A first snow-play afternoon and the ropeway over the valley
  • 03A beginner ski or snowboard lesson, with equipment and snow wear included
  • 04Onsen bathing and a snow-covered town in Niigata
  • 05Three nights in Tokyo with a private city day

Day-by-day itinerary

What's included

Included in your trip9 items covered in this fare
Hotels1
  • Five nights of hotel accommodation with daily breakfast — three in Tokyo, two in Echigo-Yuzawa
Transport2
  • Round-trip Shinkansen tickets, Tokyo to Echigo-Yuzawa
  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure
Activities4
  • Private Tokyo city tour
  • Snow play and ropeway experience in Yuzawa
  • Beginner ski or snowboard lesson
  • Ski or snowboard equipment and snow wear rental
Meals1
  • Five breakfasts
Services1
  • Local travel support in English
Plan and pay separately6 items not covered by this fare
Not included6
  • International flights
  • Lunches and dinners unless named as included
  • Optional activities, personal expenses and shopping
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for drivers, guides and hotel staff
  • Visa fees, where your nationality requires a visa

Your hotels

Hotels are named on your confirmation — all are of the stated category.

Meeting & drop-off
You're met atNarita or Haneda Airport, arrivals hallReport by On arrival, timed to your inbound flight
You're dropped atNarita or Haneda AirportBy about Timed to your outbound flight

You leave from a different place than you arrive — book an open-jaw flight, not a return.

Airport transfers are included and matched to your flight times.

2 go inside0 walk through0 exterior only
On the route2 places
TokyoEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Echigo-YuzawaEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside

Japan

IdealGoodFairAvoid
OctIdeal

Cherry blossom (late Mar–Apr) and autumn foliage (Nov) are iconic. Avoid July–Aug heat and humidity.

Tokyo
Average High
22°C
Rainfall
197mm
Kyoto
Average High
22°C
Rainfall
110mm
Osaka
Average High
23°C
Rainfall
108mm
Hokkaido
Average High
14°C
Rainfall
112mm

Winter package

  • Quoted for the snow season, January to mid-March; other dates are quoted separately.
  • Optional upgrades: a four-star hotel, a private ski lesson, a snow-play-only option, and Tokyo attraction add-ons.
  • The rate is based on four adults travelling together; smaller parties are quoted at the higher rate band.

Travel documents and visa

  • Carry a passport valid for the whole of your stay in Japan.
  • Visa requirements depend on your nationality and are not included in this package; check them well before you book flights.

Getting around

  • Japanese stations and hotels have limited space for large suitcases; pack a small bag for nights away from your base city.
  • The operator provides English-speaking assistance; guiding in other languages can be requested and is quoted separately.

Common questions

When does this package run?

The snow season at Echigo-Yuzawa runs from January to mid-March, which is when this package is quoted.

Do we need our own ski clothes?

No. Ski or snowboard equipment and snow wear rental are included, so you can travel without buying winter kit at home.

Is this suitable for children who have never seen snow?

Yes, that is what it is built for. The first afternoon is snow play and a ropeway ride, and the lesson the next day is for beginners.

How far is Yuzawa from Tokyo?

About eighty minutes on the Joetsu Shinkansen. The round-trip tickets are included.

Can we ski more than one day?

Yes. Extra lift passes, a private lesson or a fourth night can be quoted as an upgrade.

What if there is no snow?

Yuzawa is one of the most reliable snow areas near Tokyo in mid-winter, but conditions vary. The ropeway and snow programme are confirmed locally the day before.

Policies & booking terms
Booking terms
  1. Full payment must be completed 30 days prior to departure, unless otherwise specified.
  2. All bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
  3. Travel insurance is mandatory and must be purchased prior to departure.
  4. Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, taxes, or supplier costs.
  5. Guests are responsible for obtaining valid passports, visas, and any required vaccinations.
  6. Cancellations or amendments are subject to the applicable cancellation policy outlined in the package.
  7. The company is not liable for delays, cancellations, or changes due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, strikes, or other force majeure events.
  8. All travelers must adhere to the local laws and customs of the destinations visited.
  9. No refunds will be issued for unused services, including but not limited to meals, accommodations, or activities.
  10. The company reserves the right to modify the itinerary or substitute hotels of similar standards if necessary.
  11. All special requests (e.g., room preferences, dietary requirements) are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
  12. Guests are responsible for any additional costs incurred due to personal expenses, such as phone calls, laundry, or minibar charges.
  13. Check-in and check-out times are subject to hotel policies and may vary by property.
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